Congress on 3/10/2011 – the Republican led House:trying to eliminate FHA prg – the Senate


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 10, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

4:40 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

H.R. 830:

to rescind the unobligated funding for the FHA Refinance Program and to terminate the program

4:36 P.M. –

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 830.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 – 171 (Roll no. 171).

4:30 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 243 (Roll no. 170).

4:12 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

4:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Deutch motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments which provide a continuation of the provisions of the program for senior homeowners.

4:02 P.M. –

Mr. Deutch moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services.

4:00 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 830.

3:59 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Waters amendment as modified Agreed to by recorded vote: 278 – 147 (Roll no. 169).

3:52 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Lynch amendment Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 243 (Roll no. 168).

3:28 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

3:27 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on adoption of the Waters amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Biggert demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Waters amendment number 6, as modified, under the five-minute rule.

3:20 P.M. –

Waters amendment modified by unanimous consent.

3:19 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section requiring the Secretary to post a statement prominently on the web which explains that the FHA Short Refinance Program has been terminated and includes a contact for borrowers who are uncertain as to how to proceed.

3:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments under the five-minute rule.

3:02 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Garamendi amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment was not germane and violated clause 7 of rule 16. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garamendi amendment number 7 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Garamendi.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section regarding treatment of bonuses for finacial sector employees.

2:55 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Holt amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment was not germane and violated clause 7 of rule 16. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Holt amendment number 8 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section detailing modifications of real property standard deduction.

2:45 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Inslee amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment was not germane and violated clause 7 of rule 16. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Inslee amendment number 14 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Inslee.

An amendment numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section directing the Attorney General to pursue criminal prosecution of those who have failed to comply with State laws relating to foreclosure of mortgages on residential real property.

2:41 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Sanchez, Loretta amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment had the effect of increasing mandatory spending over a specified period of time and violated clause 10 of rule 21. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Loretta Sanchez amendment in the nature of a substitute number 15 under the five minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Ms. Sanchez, Loretta.

An amendment in the nature of a substitute numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a complete new text detailing use of funding for an FHA Refinancing Program.

2:35 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Waters amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment was not germane and violated clause 7 of Rule XVI. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Waters amendment number 5 under the five minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in the Congressional Record to direct the Housing and Urban Development Department, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to conduct a study on the negative impacts of underwater mortgage loans on the housing market and economy of the United States and to report on the findings.

2:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments under the five-minute rule.

2:23 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert raised a point of order against the Inslee amendment Mrs. Biggert stated that the amendment was not germane. The Chair sustained the point of order.

2:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Inslee amendment number 12 under the five minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Inslee.

An amendment numbered 12 printed in the Congressional Record to modify the bill’s required study by the Housing and Urban Development Department on the FHA Refinance Program’s use by, and effects on, certain homeowners to include a study on the need and appropriate guidelines for a replacement mortgage insurance program.

On agreeing to the Paulsen amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Paulsen amendment number 4 under the five minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Paulsen.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to include military servicemembers and veterans who have service-connected injuries, as well as survivors and dependents of such individuals, in a study on use of the FHA Refinance program.

2:14 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lynch amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Frank (MA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lynch amendment number 3 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Lynch.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to strike language in the bill terminating the Mortgagee Letter 2010-23, which provided guidance for the FHA Refinance Program. The amendment also strikes language which prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from issuing any regulation, order, or notice that is based on or substantially similar to such Mortgagee Letter.

1:59 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Fitzpatrick amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

1:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment number 11 under the five minute rule.

1:55 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to require any unexpected balances for the FHA Refinance Program that are rescinded and canceled under the bill to be retained in the general fund of the Treasury for reducing the debt of the federal government.

1:40 P.M. –

Mr. Bachus raised a point of order against the Maloney amendment Mr. Bachus stated that the amendment was not germane and violated clause 7 of Rule XVI. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 150, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Maloney amendment number 9 under the five minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Maloney.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to add a section which lists the number of underwater mortgages in 43 states and the District of Columbia.

12:26 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 830.

12:25 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles F. Bass to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 150 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 830 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 150.

12:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Raymond Bowman, Spruce Street Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 10.

10:51 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert E. Latta to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Convenes: 10:00am

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 2:15pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 10:30am, Senator Moran will deliver his maiden speech to the Senate.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive session to consider the nomination of Max Oliver, Jr., of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. There will be up to 15 minutes for debate on the nomination prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Senators should expect the vote on confirmation of the Oliver nomination to begin around 2:30pm.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes during Thursday’s session of the Senate.

The Senate reached an agreement to consider Executive calendar #10, the nomination of James Boasberg, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, at 4:30pm on Monday, March 14.

Under the agreement, there will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Senators should the vote on confirmation to begin at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, March 14.

Today we were unable to reach an agreement to begin consideration of the Small Business Committee’s bill, S.493, the SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011.

As a result, Senator Reid moved to proceed to the bill and filed cloture on the motion.

The cloture vote will occur Monday evening. There will be 2 votes at 5:30pm on Monday. The first vote will be on confirmation of James Boasberg (DC District Judge) and the second vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.493, the SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011.

Votes:

38: Confirmation of Max Oliver, Jr., of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina;

Confirmed: 96-0

Unanimous Consent:

Confirmed Timothy J. Feighery, of New York, to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the US.

Trees are life … from Earth Day Network


Let’s forget about carbon for one day and focus on a simple fact: trees are life. Over a billion people living in extreme poverty rely on forests to survive. They need trees to provide food, shelter, fuel, and to preserve the very fabric of their culture.

Think of Haiti. Its people rely heavily on local forests. But harsh economic realities have forced forest management to take a backseat to survival. The result: rampant deforestation, leading to devastating landslides, erosion, and floods.

Scenarios like Haitian deforestation are calls to action – it’s our duty to answer them. And we have. Using sustainable agroforestry, we planted 500,000 new trees last year to combat centuries of environmental degradation and bring life-sustaining fruit to Haitian communities.

Much work is left to be done. Frankly, we cannot do it alone. Thus, we created the Canopy Project – a people-powered campaign designed to plant a new tree for every dollar our supporters give. Let’s get to work! Will you help us plant 10,000 new trees by March 31st?

www.democracyinaction.org

Please join the Canopy Project and defend forests where they are threatened most. We will plant a new tree for every dollar you give.

Our tree programs have brought over a million new trees to life in forests and communities around the world. We’ve enhanced thousands of lives. With your help, we can do so much more.

Maybe you can’t travel to Haiti or Mexico to plant trees, but you can still stop the decline in forests worldwide. For just one dollar, plant a tree! Contribute $50 or more to receive a t-shirt as a token of our appreciation.

Help us reach our goal of 10,000 new trees by March 31. Give to the Canopy Project and fight the global threat of deforestation.

www.democracyinaction.org

Thank you for your amazing support! Who says you need to get your hands dirty to make a real difference?

The Team,

Earth Day Network

The Struggle in Wisconsin …


The struggle in Wisconsin is still ongoing, but MoveOn members like you have already played a pivotal role in fighting back against Governor Scott Walker‘s radical attack on workers’ rights.

Walker expected his budget bill to sail through, but instead, it’s sparked a national backlash and energized millions of people. And that’s thanks, in part, to you.

Since the fight began:

Thousands of Wisconsin MoveOn members attended the massive demonstrations in Madison, made calls to their state legislators, and sent almost 10,000 messages to Governor Walker, which protesters plastered all over the walls outside Walker’s office when he refused to accept them. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206612&id=26435-17809870-dEjiEix&t=1

 MoveOn members contributed more than $100,000 to the Wisconsin 14, the brave Democratic state senators who left the state to prevent Republicans from jamming through Walker’s proposal—providing them a huge boost to fight back against Republican attacks.  http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206615&id=26435-17809870-dEjiEix&t=2

 MoveOn members sent more than 260,000 statements of support to the Wisconsin 14. We delivered the statements—all 5,700 pages of them—to State Senator Chris Larson. He was thrilled to share them with his colleagues and posted on Facebook: “Thank you for standing with us! (And yes, people actually do get paper copies of those forms you fill out online. Thank you MoveOn.org).”

 MoveOn members nationwide contributed more than $445,000 to support the efforts to recall the Republican state senators who refuse to negotiate. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206613&id=26435-17809870-dEjiEix&t=4  The folks running the recall report they’re off to an amazing start, beating their signature goal in the first weekend by 35%, and they’re hugely grateful for the early fundraising.

 MoveOn members held solidarity rallies in every state capital—our biggest in years, and on just four days’ notice—to say that we are all Wisconsin and we won’t stand by while Republicans try to kill the American Dream. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206323&id=26435-17809870-dEjiEix&t=5

It’s an amazing and inspiring list. And this fight is far from over. Even if Governor Walker manages to push through his disastrous proposal, the recall efforts targeting Republicans are already off to an amazing start and several of those who support Walker could be thrown out of office as soon as June.

With similar fights happening across the country and in Washington, we’ve got a long way to go before we put the American Dream back in reach for all Americans. But Wisconsin has sparked a national uprising and given us the strength to fight back.

For the moment though, we just wanted to take the time to say thanks, for all you do.

–Daniel, Joan, Kat, Lenore, and the rest of the team

P.S. With Republicans in Washington pushing devastating federal budget cuts—to education, student loans, NPR, environmental protection, family planning, health and nutrition programs for pregnant women and small children, and more—we’re looking to highlight the stories of those who’d be affected by the cuts. If any of the Republican budget cuts would affect you or your family.

Equality is “societal suicide”?


URGENT: Late on Friday, Speaker John Boehner announced that the House Republican leadership will take the steps necessary to defend DOMA in court, a move which could result in an exorbitant waste of time and resources. It’s simply unconscionable.

www.hrc.org

We’ve sent 129,000 letters to Congress demanding a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

But right-wing extremists are outraged – and House Republicans are jumping in to defend the law.

Help win this fight.

www.hrc.org

Bordering on treason.” “An act of societal suicide.” “Fitting if it were in the Middle East in one of those dictatorships.”

When it comes to President Obama’s courageous stance against DOMA, the extreme right hasn’t been shy about how they feel. One Congressman is even calling for the impeachment of the President.

It’s clear our victory has stirred a right-wing hornets’ nest. On Friday, House Republican leaders announced a plan to defend the hateful law in court – and waste precious time and resources doing so! All this from lawmakers who promised to focus on jobs and the economy.

We’ve stood up to these ugly attacks before. And we know the next few days and weeks will be critical. We can’t stand by and let House Republican leaders use LGBT families as a political pawn – in this moment or in the future. And we must continue urging President Obama to support full marriage equality while we fight for marriage everywhere – from Maryland to Delaware to New Hampshire. I hope we can count on your support now

Less than two months after taking charge in the House, right-wing lawmakers have abandoned promises to focus on making things better for all Americans, and instead are attacking LGBT couples with newfound energy.

This isn’t about one law or one special counsel. It’s about whether our nation becomes stronger and more equal, or falls back on old prejudice and hate. So we’ve got to respond on multiple fronts:

**Keep fighting DOMA in Congress – HRC supporters like you have sent over 129,000 letters to lawmakers in the last ten days, showing that Americans oppose this hateful law.

**Stand up for marriage equality across America, working hand-in-hand with local groups to promote civil unions and marriage in places like Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Hawaii, Illinois, Rhode Island, and New York – and to block attempts to go backward in states like New Hampshire or Iowa.

**Continue to make the case for supporting full marriage equality to the President. President Obama showed what a great ally he is last month – and we’re working to move him towards full-throated support for full marriage equality that will inspire a nation.

**Attempt to block every attack on equality, like the perennial effort to write discrimination into the Constitution of the United States by amending it to prohibit marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

We’re moving forward every day – but every day we’re up against new volleys of hatred. Herman Cain, a former CEO and likely 2012 presidential candidate, thinks the President’s courageous decision was bordering on treasonous. Conservative activist Alan Caruba called it an act of “societal suicide” in a column titled, “America’s Gay White House.”

And it was Tony Perkins, head of the powerful Family Research Council, who had the gall to compare President Obama’s actions to those of brutal Middle East dictators – just because the President believes all married couples should get benefits like Social Security survivorship, joint tax filing, and family and medical leave.

www.hrc.org

In the civil rights battle of our generation, we can never afford to take a step backward. That’s even truer at moments like this. Momentum is on our side – and we’ve got to seize this opportunity.

Let’s go,

Joe Solmonese

President

Banks coming clean


With the movement for clean energy growing stronger every day, the last thing we need is more oil pipelines. Especially when those pipelines are filled with oil from Canada’s dirty tar sands.

Citigroup doesn’t see it that way. Since 2008 Citi has raised more than $14 billion for the pipeline industry—more than any other bank. One of Citi’s biggest clients in the sector is TransCanada—the same company now proposing the infamous KeystoneXL pipeline to connect Canada’s tar sands to Gulf Coast oil refineries.

Guess what though? You can change the way bankers do business, even at Citi, just by connecting one-on-one to share your concerns.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=N3%2FV7gtTEeaYPOhQN40e2%2BxsQktoNWGN

Make a difference in all of our futures by picking up the phone today and calling a Citi banker.

This is no email petition, we’re actually putting you on the phone with the bankers who need to know about Citi’s financing of fossil fuels so they can help Citi change course.  http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3fOkJ%2FhFUlOnsTh8BH%2FJrZeWKDLLHRA3

The KeystoneXL pipeline would more than triple oil imports from the tar sands—effectively erasing the benefits of fuel efficiency standard s designed to break our crippling addiction to oil. Citi should clearly be financing our clean energy future, not outdated carbon-intensive fossil fuels.

Help us contact more than 2000 Citi employees today and enlist them in creating our clean energy future. It’ll make you feel great!

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JuxK4HRNsPJ%2BM3IrjlVbEZeWKDLLHRA3

For the future,

Brant Olson

Freedom From Oil Campaign Director